How to Protect Yourself During Taiwan Earthquakes

When an invisible hand starts swinging ceiling lamps around, it's probably one of the 2,200 earthquakes shaking Taiwan every year. Only a fraction of them, 214, can be felt. Stronger quakes will make themselves known in Taipei -- that's life in a geologically-connected place. Alerts go out if a strong earthquake is coming, but they …

Survival Guide to National Taiwan University Shui Yuan Dormitory

So when Shui Yuan opened, National Taiwan University (NTU) hyped a big developer building a first class dormitory for international students. Reality is often a few degrees off. Close to campus, the MRT, a night market, the river, and the largest 7-Eleven in Taiwan, Shui Yuan is a most and least desired location. An undated photo of …

Buying a Laptop in Taiwan

Shopping for laptop computers in Taiwan is designed to make the buyer feel they won a great deal through a series of flexible promotions. What an experience. A great deal has good CP值, cost-performance ratio, the all-important (yet entirely vague) metric for people who have activated their Asian grandma bargaining powers. On my way to becoming …

The Documents You Need to Study in Taiwan

Oh, the different ways to study in Taiwan! There's some paperwork before and after you arrive. Before we begin, let’s sort out who you are and why you’re here. Degree Student or Long-Term Exchange Student (>180 days) You need to 1) get a visa before your plane lands. Then, 2) apply for an Alien Resident …

How Much Money Do You Need as a Student in Taiwan?

As reliable as death, taxes, and typhoon season, every few months I was introduced to a student who wished they brought more money to Taiwan. You see, most budgets provided by schools understate what’s needed for a basic modern life. At least it isn’t a big problem. It’s just one you hate to see people have. …

Teaching Teamwork, Leadership, & Creativity to Students in Taipei with the Marshmallow Challenge

Tom Wujec is a 3D designer who studies how people share and absorb information. He created the Marshmallow Challenge to encourage “teamwork, leadership, and creativity.” I like the challenge because it helps future leaders get comfortable with the unknown, and teaches them how to figure things out amongst themselves. It was my pleasure to be …

(w)ow (t)hat’s (f)antastic. Why I moved from the U.S. to Taiwan.

I want to tell you a little story about 2015. That’s when I decided I'm leaving America for graduate school in Taiwan. The easiest way to get to the point of a story is to first tell the 6 Ws. Five of the 6Ws – Who-What-When-Where-Why – is I’m Taiwanese-American, chasing the dream of a global …